Encounter Resources’ (ASX:ENR) drill program at its Aileron niobium-rare earth elements (REE) project in Western Australia’s West Arunta region is in full swing.
The company has two rigs currently operating onsite as part of a 70,000m exploration and pre-development drilling program it is undertaking this year.
One rig is focused on infill drilling at potential ‘high-grade’ starter pit locations at Green, and another is targeting new priority targets.
A multipurpose diamond and mud-rotary rig will be mobilised in Q3 of this year to complete geotechnical, hydrogeological, and metallurgical sample drilling in support of project development studies.
The drilling program comprises 30,000m of infill drilling at Green targeting a mineral resource estimate (MRE) upgrade for starter pit areas and 40,000m of regional exploration drilling focused on further discoveries.
Executive Chairman Will Robinson says the company is building “strong momentum” at the project.
“In recent months Encounter has increased its resource base by more than 50%, demonstrated strong metallurgical results at Green, and executed a partnership agreement to help foster expansion of the growing niobium oxide industry,” Robinson says.
“Encounter currently has two rigs delivering high-impact drill programs at Aileron, to upgrade the existing MRE at Green and targeting new discoveries across our highly prospective tenure position.”
The company has also lodged an application over the proposed mining, processing and infrastructure area to support Aileron’s future development.
“We are progressing the technical, environmental, and permitting workstreams required to support future development of Aileron. An initial baseline study identified the optimal location for processing infrastructure and a mining lease has been applied for over this area,” Robinson says.
Following an updated MRE in April, Encounter provided an update on metallurgical progress at Green in May, demonstrating “strong recoveries” at “high concentrate grades” on multiple composites representing sections of the anticipated starter pits.
Detailed environmental surveys and studies are currently underway to support the regulatory approvals process.
The company has likewise defined a series of ‘high-priority’ niobium-REEs and copper-gold targets for drill testing in 2026.
Encounter Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of major copper and critical mineral deposits, including niobium and REEs.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Encounter Resources
